Portable cooling unit



May 15, 1956 A. MENDEZ 2,745,263

' PORTABLE COOLING UNIT Filed Aug. 25, 1953 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 16 1&16 11; 163 110 3,2 15.1 11c I & l

| I I l l I l nus INVENTOR fl Zfreda Menaes ATTORNEY y 1956 A. MENDEZ 2,745,263

PORTABLE COOLING UNIT Filed Aug. 25, 1953 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG.6'.

i @iQ INVENTOR Alfredo Men ([193 ATTORNEY United States Patent PORTABLE COOLING UNIT Alfredo Mendez, Chicago, 11!.

Application August 25, 1953, Serial No. 376,428

3 Claims. (Cl. 62-140) My invention relates to a novel and improved cooling apparatus which, while primarily intended for use in cooling the interior of motor trucks and truck trailers, is also adapted for other uses, and further may embody a stove or other heating unit which is fueled by gas obtained from the cooling unit, per se.

Truck cooling apparatus according to prior developments is very expensive, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a greatly simplified unit which will cost but a fraction of the cost of prior apparatus, and which further can be readily applied and removed according to whether or not a particular trucks cargo is perishable or not.

Additionally, the present invention contemplates, as hereinbefore intimated, a combination cooling apparatus and stove or cooker, which is fueled by gas from the cooler unit so that the truck driver can make coffee or heat up a can of soup upon occasion, if he so desires.

It is also an object of the invention to furnish apparatus as characterized, which is strong and durable in construction, involves, a minimum number of easily assembled parts, is highly efiicient in operation, and requires the use of no moving parts other than a motor-driven fan.

The invention also resides in certain novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts and in modes of operation, all as will be understood and appreciated by those versed in the art from a reading of the following descriptive matter dealing with the embodiment which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

Although a now preferred form of the invention has been chosen for illustration and description, in accordance with the requirements of the patent statute, it will readily be perceived that various changes and modifications may be made therein within the spirit and scope of the subject matter claimed hereinafter.

In the drawings, wherein the same reference characters have been used to designate the same parts throughout the several views- Fig. 1 is a broken view partly in section, and largely diagrammatic, showing the application of the apparatus to a truck trailer;

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of the novel cooling unit, per se, which is embodied in my apparatus;

Fig. 3 is a rear elevational view of the same;

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 44 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the base member which is incorporated in the unit of Figs. 2, 3 and 4; and

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of one of the coil-carrying side members of said unit.

Referring specifically to the drawings, Fig. 1 shows the apparatus applied to a familiar form of tractor-drawn truck trailer, the tractor having the usual cab, as shown.

In carrying out the invention, a supply tank A for propane or other hydrocarbon which is normally gaseous at atmospheric pressures, is conveniently supported by the bracket carried shelf A secured to the interior front wall I of the trailer, said tank having the usual filling opening B. A supply line C leads from the bottom portion of the tank A to the coil 14'of the cooling unit F by way of the usual expansion valve 32 which gasifies the liquid propane. Cooling unit F is secured to the shelf G which is supported by brackets H carried at the in-- terior side of trailer front wall I. As Will be understood,

the propane in tank A will be under pressure and compressed air can be supplied thereto in the usual way if necessary.

In the Fig. 1 showing, the gas from the cooling coil 14 is discharged through a pipe L to a burner or cooker M secured to the exterior side of the front wall I of the trailer, conveniently adjacent to the tractor cab. The gas can simply be allowed to escape while the truck is in transit, or the cooker can be lighted to consume the gas and to heat coffee, etc., when the truck has stopped.

The cooker M provides a flame guard 0 about the burner end of pipe L.

A thermostatically controlled cutoff valve E is incorporated in the propane supply line C from tank A, and it is closed and the circuit of the fan driving motor 25 of the cooling .unit F is opened by the thermostat E in the trailer when the interior temperature thereof is correct.

A manually operated cutoff valve D in line C from tank A may be made accessible through hole I in the front wall 1 of the trailer, there being a pivoted closure K therefor as shown. Also, if desired, there may be a manually operable cutoff N adjacent stove M.

As will be appreciated, the foregoing described arrangement is simply illustrative and the parts can be ditferently arranged, if desirable, or installed in a house or house trailer.

Referring now to the details of the cooler unit F per se, shown in Figs. 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, same has as the main frame parts the pan-like base 10 of Fig. 5 and two upstanding, laterally spaced, and substantially duplicate,

fan and motor-carrying rear wall 15, and upper front molding 20 which has a part 20a which cooperates with a portion 15a of the rear wall 15 to support the removable closure 16.

Thus, the cooler unit frame comprises but six parts which are easily assembled and can be readily and cheaply made as stampings, all as will be readily understood as the description proceeds. Also, as a preliminary, it may be observed that the cooling coil 14 with expansion valve 32 is designed to be assembled with side members 12 as a unit.

Thus, referring in detail to the construction of the cooler unit, per se, it comprises the rectangular pan-like base 10 of Fig. 5, having the bottom wall 10a, the long front and'rear walls 16b and the end walls 10c.

The two upstanding coil-supporting end wall units 11 of Fig. 6 are channel-like and have the spaced parallel front and rear walls 11a, 11b, respectively, which are connected by the coextensive cooling coil-supporting bight wall' 11a and by the horizontal closure-supporting top wide front wall portions 11a define the sides of the rectangular cool air discharge opening 29 at the front of said cooling unit F. The open lower ends of the end units 12 are supported by base'10 as shown in Fig. 3.

Fig, 6 shows the ,bight. .wallilld,.ofltheseniunitsf. as...

provided with holes 13 for the passage of the cooling coil14 as indicated in Fig. 3.

Re'ferringioFigs. 3- and-4,: the rear-swell; '15.:of:;the cook: ingwunit F- is coextensive ,in;:height .withstheiend units lland. its sides .ioverlie and;are secured,:.as .at 18'; 19.;to: thevrear flanges 11b:: of 1 said'jend;;wall .units;-.1'2.' Thelower end: of therear wall. 15- rests:upon; therbottom wall-,lOa. of vbasememher 10,1 andit. and theilower ends of. the-rearflangesllb of. saidend units -11-:ar.e secured. tothe real: wall 10bofthebase'unitqby machine'screws orthe like .17.-

Figs; 2,: 3 and 1 4 .also :ShOW vthat'. ztheetop of tthesrear by the front flange orwalL 10b of base member .10. As

earlier pointed out, the sidesof said airdischarge. opening 29- are defined by the wide-flanges or; walls .11a of. the;endwall;units11 of Fig, .6.

Fig. 4' alsoshows that the top:.edge..of.molding. member 20.-has a coextensive inturned flange-a which supportsthe forward, edge of .top, closure. 16. Machine. screws 16a.and 20b. secure molding:20.,inzplace, the.

screws 20b engaging. in the. underlying walls. or flanges 11a .of the end units 11. I

Referring, to. Figs-.3 and; 4, the .rear wall'15..of the: cooling unit F'has the opening21 for-at leastgpartially receiving the fan 23 which is fast on the armature shaft. 24- of theelectric. motor 25'whose casing is bolted as at .26.t o the'bracket '27. The bracket .27 extends .across. the-rearwall. opening 21 and has .endfeet 27a.removab.ly secured as. at. 28 to. the rear. unit wall 15.. As will be; noted, the fan 23 discharges toward. the-rectangular from opening 29 of Fig. 2, throughtheintervening cooling coils 14which. carry theusual closely spaced temperature.- disseminating fins 114b,- as shown.

As to inlet and, outlet. connections, etc., for the-cook ing coil 14, Figs 3. and. 4 show a conventional..-inlet. coupling30 for the supply line C-from the tank A of Fig. 1, such inlet coupling; registeringwithi a; hole ;115b;in rear. wall 15.. This inlet coupling -30.has-.a.conventionakcone nection 31.with. a'standard expansioniyalve 32.adjacent; the top of the unit, and the gas discharge side..ofsaid. expansion'valve has. a usualcoupling connection 133 .--with the .inlet proper 14a of cooling coil.14.-- Expansionyalve. 32-has the usual knurled regulating knob vwhich;.registers with a,ho1e. 15c in rear wall 15. Dischargefrom coil 14 is. through outlet coupling 34 shown in Fig.3, as read-.1 ily: accessible behind one of the end unitflanges 1111..

The operation of the apparatus as describedz'may be; summarized as follows. Propane gas in liquid form un-' der pressure from thetank A of. Fig. 1 'passesdntotheinlet fitting 30 of Fig. 3, is gasifiedby expansion valve 32 I and delivered. to coil .14 to. cool same. in the usual-manner. The fan .motor25 will..be drivenby a-battery o'rothermeans. and may be controlledasstated,along with pro- 1 pane cutofiivalveE, by the thermostat Ef. located=..in. the-.- trailer or other place robe-cooled, a

Five gallons] of propane ,Will,.;Wifl1 .the .use o'f my tap;

paratus, ,ad'equately. cool :a large-sized. trailer forj.moret' than three hours,,and since-propane isuvery cheappcosting. only a fewcents a gallon, the :dischargeofsame to, the'atmosphere from-thecoil .outlet.34. is1nore,than com-- pensatedforby; the-.cheapness offthe.-unit;;..eliminatingz; I

as it does ,thesnecessity'a fon:aicoolingxfluidzcircuifl-and;

pump.. Also..as,.illustrated..in..Figr. l, .thelpropaneadisa charge from cooling coil 14 may be to a burner or stove M which is available to the truck driver for heating coffee or soup.

Although the use of the apparatus in connection with trucks and truck trailers has been particularly stressed, the portability of the coolingY-unitper se readily adapts it for use in the refrigerators of house trailers or dwellings and otherwise, where a bottled gas (propane) supply is available. a

In a house trailer, for instance, the unit with or without themotor andfan attachment, can be advantageously employed, the motor and fan. unit being'readily detachable, as will be noted. Thus the cooler unit can be put in an ordinary ice refrigerator, and connected to the trailers propane supply tank to preserve breakfast food overnight, and the stove and flame guard M, O of Fig. 1 may take the form of a parking light or nightlight; The same use can advantageously'be made of :thfillflii atsummer cottages. when ice is not conveniently available, as: propaneg'as can be bought cheaply and in'large quanti== ties and will keep, Whereas ice wont.

. The aforenoted uses of theunit with: or without the fan are merely examples .of the utility ofsthe-iunit. Many other uses ;.will doubtless suggest. themselveszto'thoseinev terestedin air conditioning,:refrigeration, etc.

progress. beemployedfor cooking purposes.

The coolingunit. is very inexpensive, as-will b62135 preciated,.since itcomprises buta few major frame parts:

all of which can .be. produced by simple stampingjopera tions.

Having thus described my invention, whatlzclaim is'z. l. A portable cooling .unit; fortrucks, truck trailers,

house trailers, kitchens, dwelling; and storage rooms; etc.',

comprising in. combination alcasing-like frame comprising a rectangular pan-like base having upstanding front, ream and end flanges, a pair of upstanding, laterally spaced and substantially channel f01'I1'L611d wallv units for-said-frame supported between said base flanges and. providinglongi tudinally-coextensive front and rear flanges,- thefrontflangesof said end'wall units being-substantially; wider thanv the said rear flanges, anaupst-andingrear wallfor: saidcooling unit coextensive in heightszwi-th saiidend- Wall'units and providing a central-fan receiving Lopcning, saidunit. rear wall. supported by saidbasemembenbe:

tweentherear'flange thereof and thewlowerends of thea rear. flanges .of .said end. wall units, fastening means---securing said unit rear :wall to. said'rear end'wall unitLandbase member flanges, other fastening means :securing said rear wall .to saidrear endunit flanges, a frontpanel element. secured to .and. connecting the .front flanges Offthfl.

end'wall units adjacent the top thereof whereby to co: operate with thelatter and thefront flange of said base unititoprovide a.rectangular.v cold air dischargeaopening at the front of said unit and occupying thenmajor.

portion .of said unit front in=alignment with the:fan -.receiving openingv of 'saidunit rear .wall, a cooling coiljexw tending between said end .wall. .units and havinginlct at one end and an outlet at theotherjend, said coil sup ported by said end wall' units between saidflanges to be protectedthereby, there being an expansion valve in said 'coil adjacent theinlet thereof and havingadjustment means operable through a hole in said'nnit rear, wall, aremovable top closure for said unit, said front panel having a substantially coextensive inturnedfla'nge at its upper edge cooperating with. the upper ends of "saidend wall'units' to support said closure, a forwardly turned keeper flange at' the'top edge of'said reanwall' and'overlying the rear-edge of saidv closure; said end'wa'll unitshaving integral horizontal flan ge-connectin g top portions; closure fasteners-engaginglthelatter, a motor carried famsecured 1 to said rear end member flanges and disposed opposite said fan-receiving opening therein, and said coil outlet lying behind the widened front flange of one of said end Wall units to be protected thereby.

2. A portable cooling unit for trucks, truck and house trailers, rooms, refrigerators, etc., comprising a cooling coil adapted to receive under pressure a hydrocarbon Which is normally gaseous at atmospheric pressures but liquid under pressures greater than atmospheric, said coil having an inlet at one end and an outlet at the other end, there being an expansion valve adjacent said coil inlet, a casing-like supporting frame for said coil and expansion valve, said frame including aligned upstanding substantially channel form side members having their bight portions arranged in spaced opposition to one another and through which convolutions of said coil extend, said bight portions supporting said coil inwardly of re turn bends thereof and rigidly secured thereto whereby the coil and side members constitute a unit, the outer limits of said return bends terminating short of the planes of the outer edges of the outstanding side member flanges whereby to be protected by the latter, separable top and bottom cross members connected to said side members, and said bottom member comprising a drain-providing pan providing upstanding side walls to which the side member flanges are attached.

3. In a portable cooling unit for trucks, truck and house trailers, rooms, refrigerators, etc., comprising a cooling coil adapted to receive under pressure a hydrocarbon which is normally gaseous at atmospheric pressures but liquid under pressures greater than atmospheric, said coil having an inlet at one end and an outlet at the other end, there being an expansion valve adjacent said coil inlet; the combination of a casing-like supporting frame for said coil and expansion valve, said frame comprising upstanding laterally spaced side members to which said coil is rigidly secured, said coil and expansion valve disposed between the planes of the side edges of said side members with the coil adjacent the top of said frame, a pan-like base member included in said frame and having upstanding flanges and supporting said side members, means detachably securing said side members to said base flanges, a rear wall supported by and secured to said base and side members, a front Wall element at the top only of said frame and concealing said expansion valve, said front wall element being detachably connected to said side members, and a removable top closure at least in part supported by said rear wall and by said front wall element, and at least in part secured by one of the latter.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,905,971 Davisson et al Apr. 25, 1933 1,937,669 Replogle Dec. 5, 1933 2,100,474 Fish Nov. 30, 1937 2,145,678 Backstrom Jan. 31, 1939 2,195,388 Schlumbohm Mar. 26, 1940 2,227,927 Downs Jan. 7, 1941 2,259,950 Downs Oct. 21, 1941 2,319,878 Philipp May 25, 1943 2,323,176 Ashley June 29, 1943 

